Where can I use my Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher?

A family with a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) can lease a unit anywhere in the United States provided that the unit is located within the jurisdiction of a Public Housing Authority (PHA) administering a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. The process by which a family obtains an HCV from one PHA and uses it to lease a unit in the jurisdiction of another PHA is called portability. Columbus Housing Authority’s jurisdiction is the City of Columbus and 5 miles outside the City limits.

A family must be determined eligible to port their HCV to another PHA.

The first PHA is called the initial PHA. The second PHA is called the receiving PHA. Families that use their HCV to port must meet all eligibility requirements of the receiving PHA.

The receiving PHA decides if it will absorb your family into their own program or if it will bill your initial PHA for porting your family to their jurisdiction.

If the receiving PHA absorbs your family, your HCV belongs to them and is no longer under any obligation of the initial PHA.